It's an inline car so he only proper engine swap is a GMC 302.I know a guy who just did it,you have to do just enough re engineering to keep it interesting.
Definitely want to keep it traditional. It's got a camaro subframe in it now, but the motor mounts are cut off so I have some wiggle room. I'm thinking Olds, but a big old Caddi under the hood would be cool too! Thanks for the ideas folks!
X2, on the Pontiac OHC sprint motor. Put a T5 od behind it and a 8" Ford rear end. I ran a Pontiac OHC sprint in a 37 Chev cp. for years and loved it. It always ran strong, gave good gas mileage plus it had the right sound. If I could find that car I'd buy it back in a heart beat. ..............Jack
If i remember correctly Tommy Ivo had a mild kustom one with a 303 Old race mill....it was in a old magazine if i recall right about hopped up 303 olds..
I have a clear mental image of a 53 chev wagon from the 60's with a 331Hemi in it. It really filled up the hole and it did look cool. But these days they are waaay expensive to rebuild. I suggest a 70' or 80's GM big inch piece. There seems to be plenty of 400-403-455 Buick/Olds/Poncho engines around as well as 425-472-500 Cads. The early engines would be nice to have but, again, expensive to rebuild whereas with a newer piece you might find a decent runner. With lots-o-cubes you also get lots-o-torque. Of course you will not be wrong for using a sbc or bbc...like this: http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/pts/2049353557.html .
If you want something really different find a 60s GMC "big block" V6 from a pickup, that'd be sweet, it's a big motor, low hp but high torque. I saw one recently in a local junkyard still in the truck. I literally had to just stare at it for a while, they're way cool!
Well damn ... maybe there's some hope for me on the HAMB after all! I bought a later Jaguar XJ6 ('90 model XJ40),as a suspension donor for my '50 Chevy sedan. Started fiddlin' with the Jag and damn if it didn't turn out to have a good, low mileage engine. So I find myself thinkin' ... "hmmm, all-aluminum double overhead cam inline six, 235 horsepower, hooked to a 4-speed overdrive automatic with a J-gate shifter and a freakin' sport mode! What's not to like?" Best part about it, all the engine and driveline components will be a matched set, being they're from the same car. No messing around with trying to find the right gear ratio diff and yada yada yada. If I get really, really lucky on the fore to aft engine placement, I might not even have to build engine mounts, as they are part of the front suspension subframe. (Yeah, I know, ain't gonna happen. But it could ...!!! I figured it would be "flame city" to even mention such heresy here on the HAMB. (I'm sure the tradition police will here shortly!)
Good engines, no doubt about it. But the OP did specify "unique" engines. The 350 sbc is anything but unique. Just sayin' ....
I like sbc engines, but the motor I pulled out was a 307 sbc, and I have a good 327 that needs rebuilt (camelback heads, dual 4's, etc...), but the old sbc just doesn't have the pizazz I'm looking for now. I just have a hankering for something that you don't see everyday.
Best ideas so far: Olds Caddy Poncho Nailhead May I add: 348 or 409 Or a straight 8 Buick, if you want unusual but power is not an issue.
Why not dress the 327 up with some vintage speed parts? the 327 is most commonly known to have come in the Corvette esp with the Double humps. Think of the guy who owned the car back in the 60's.. Wouldnt you think one of his top choices for a swap would be the allmighty Corvette?
Ya, I know... this is a tough decision. Below is a pic of the 327. It's an old Corvette motor. Just needs rebuilt. I just keep thinking how cool it would be to pop the hood and there's a sbc of course.... oh wait! No, it's a nail head! Cool!
The 'tradition police' would be out of line if they object to a 'Jag in a Chevy'. In 1960 my cousin had a '48 Chevy coupe with a Jag XK120/140 engine and complete drivetrain. Another 'wish I'd kept it' car.........
Man, I was going to say 348 with 3 two barrels, but that big V-6 Jimmy motor just blew me away. I really dig that!
Glad someone else likes it too, when I saw the one in the wrecking yard it really confused me, I never even knew that they produced V6s that early. First thought was who the hell swapped this thing? and man they did a clean job! Then I noticed the V6 emblems on the truck.... I'll get the next one I find.
There is a Rolls Royce 6cyl on Craigslist. It is a '58 and has an auotmatic behind it.. Says it runs good.. For 250 bucks, You will have "unique"..
I'm pretty screwed up, but I have been wanting to build an old custom with a modern Olds Bravado straight six engine. All aluminum, making about 300 HP (STOCK!), use a modern OD trans, stick would be super cool, like a T56 or something. Duals, maybe convert it to 3 SU's or Harley carbs, almost looks nostalgic, but who cares, you keep the hood closed, except for those more interested in modern drivelines.
It would be unique! I'll probably hear form all the critics and it's a newer engine but you said unique... Five cylinders 3500 (3.5L) The Vortec 3500, or L52, is a DOHC 3.5 L straight-5 in the GM Atlas engine family. It produces 220 hp (164 kW) and 225 ft·lb (305 N·m) of torque. The Vortec 3500 is optional on Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon regular and extended cab trucks. It is standard on the Crew Cab Colorado/Canyon, and the Hummer H3. 3700 (3.7L) The Vortec 3700, or LLR, is a DOHC 3.7 L straight-5 in the GM Atlas engine family. Introduced in 2007, the engine has increased in displacement from 3.5 L in the Vortec 3500 to 3.7 L, producing 242 hp (180 kW) and 242 ft·lb (327 N·m) of torque. This engine is only offered with the HydraMatic 4L60e automatic trannsmission in the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Hummer H3, and Isuzu i-370 trucks.
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